TV ads urge governor veto animal abuse bill

FILE - In this April 22, 2010 image from video provided by the United States Humane Society, a Hallmark Meat Packing slaughter plant worker is shown attempting to force a "downed" cow onto its feet by ramming it with the blades of a forklift in Chino, Calif. State legislators across the country are introducing laws making it harder for animal welfare advocates to investigate cruelty and food safety cases. Bills pending in California, Nebraska and Tennessee require that anyone collecting evidence of abuse turn it over to law enforcement within 24 to 48 hours - which advocates say does not allow enough time to document illegal activity under federal humane handling and food safety laws. Critics say the bills are an effort to deny consumers the ability to know how their food is produced. (AP Photo/Humane Society of the United States, file)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The Humane Society of the United States is airing television commercials that urge Gov. Bill Haslam to veto an animal abuse bill.

Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle called the legislative bill an attempt to prevent animal welfare groups and the media from exposing illegal cruelty against animals.

The measure would require anyone recording or taking photos of livestock abuse to turn images over to law enforcement within 48 hours.

The City Paper in Nashville reported Pacelle called the society's undercover video recording in horse trainer Jackie McConnell's stable a model case in bringing abuse to light. A federal case last year against McConnell of Collierville brought him a three-year probationary sentence and a $75,000 fine.

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